This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on June 26, 2014.
How many singing reality competitions can there be on TV?
“Rising Star” is the latest singing competition to hit the small screen. It airs Sundays on ABC.
After watching the premiere June 22, “Rising Star” seems to be more about technology than talent, in my opinion. Yes, it’s innovative to use an app to “Raise the Wall,” which allows the experts, studio audience and viewers to vote on which contestants should move on to the next round, but so what?
“American Idol” was groundbreaking in 2002. But let’s be real. Without Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, the Fox show just is not interesting anymore. And “The X Factor,” Cowell’s follow-up show, bombed in America, despite having high-profile judges such as Britney Spears and Demi Lovato.
And now anyone can be a judge or expert. On “Rising Star,” the so-called “experts” are Kesha, Ludacris and Brad Paisley. I think hiring Kesha is a publicity stunt after her stint in rehab, but I guess she does have a lot of fame.
“The Voice” is great. But after the auditions, the NBC show is no longer truly about the voice, considering the judges can see them face-to-face. So the best singer doesn’t necessarily win.
It’s such an influx. I get that ABC wants to break into the singing competition mold, but it’s just cliche now.
Yes, seeing and hearing great singers is entertaining, but there just aren’t enough viable twists to make all of these shows worthwhile to watch.
And since so few of them these days make a name for themselves after the show, maybe it’s a sign that others are sick of these shows, too.